Balanced modular power management system and method

ABSTRACT

An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply, which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC, in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability. A DC isolation capacitor is connected to a common current path, such as to one of the busses, such as, for example, in series with the neutral circuit, as a means for avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in AC power supply network. This isolation capacitor is of sufficient capacitance to allow the low loss passage of unbalanced AC if the loads connected to the distribution system produce unequal currents in the common wiring.

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] At the outset, the terms “inverter”, “converter” and “intrinsicDC load means” shall be defined insofar as usage in this disclosure isconcerned. “Inverter” shall mean a device, circuit or system thatdelivers ac power when energized from a source of dc power i.e., it isthe opposite of rectification. “Converter” shall mean a circuit orsystem that both receives and provides dc power in which ac is generatedas an intermediate process in the flow of energy. The term “intrinsic DCload means” shall mean a DC load means which functions only in responseto DC power input, i.e., it does not require and should not tolerate theinherent inefficiency and complexity of a converter in order to functionproperly.

[0002] My prior Pat. No. 5,500,561 is directed to A CUSTOMER SIDE POWERMANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD and discloses several embodiments whereinsubstantial relaxation is achieved in the requirement that an electricor public utility maintain a generating capacity far exceeding theanticipated maximum demand for electricity. Generally speaking, my priorpatent is directed to systems wherein a direct current power supplymeans, such as, for example, a DC power source, in the form of storagebattery means is included in the power management system and operates toalleviate excessive power demands on the electric utility.

[0003] Briefly stated, the problem addressed in my prior applicationsis, at its heart, based upon the fact that power demands placed upon theelectric utilities by consumers fluctuate enormously dependent upon thetime of day, the day of the week, the season of the year and/or anyother factor which may affect demand, including the type of consumer.So-called uninterruptible power supplies have been proposed but aregenerally inadequate to alleviate the problem efficiently. Such a systemis exemplified by the Lavin et al Pat. No. 5,289,045 of Feb. 22, 1994and attention is called to the references cited as prior art against myaforesaid prior applications.

[0004] This application relates to electrical distribution generally andin particular to electrical distribution as it applies particularly todwellings for example, wherein it is well known that electrical energyis distributed from a public or electric utility in AC form, normally insplit-phase having the meaning that two 120 V AC phases of the utilityare brought into a building so as to be available as two 120 V ACcircuits and a 240 V AC circuit. Such a three-wire system involves theuse of two line power conductors and a neutral wire conductor suppliedby the utility. These conductors, according to usual practice, arebrought into the customer's distribution box and connected therein totwo line power busses through suitable circuit breaker means, such as,for example, a current responsive circuit interrupter, and directly to aneutral buss housed within the box. The box also houses a ground busswhich, according to normal practice, is provided with a wire connectionextending externally of the box and into electrical connection with anearthing pole which establishes earth potential at the ground buss.

[0005] This application is directed to the problem of efficiently usingand/or utilizing electrical power and to the method thereof-morespecifically, of efficiently utilizing DC power at the site of interestby establishing a dual voltage capability at such site. Further, thisapplication is directed to the problem where multiple earth grounds areestablished within an electrical distribution system, causingundesirable DC current paths.

[0006] An object of this invention is to permit two different powersupply systems, one DC and the other AC, to reside on common buildingwiring as found in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a compatible powerwiring system that allows both DC power operation and AC power operationto coexist, without modification to the power wiring system, from commonbuilding wiring power outlets. This compatibility allows, for example,appliances which operate on low voltage 24 V DC, especially those whichnow do or in the future will function as “intrinsic DC devices”, andconventional 120 V AC appliances to be used within the same buildingspace and with existing cabling or wiring.

[0008] Another object of this invention is to introduce the concept ofganged circuit breaker means in power wiring systems.

[0009] Still another object of this invention is the provision of dualvoltage capability with ganged circuit breaker means functioning tointerrupt not only both the “high” and “low” sides of AC voltagecircuitry but DC circuitry as well.

[0010] Stated otherwise, the preceding object may utilize one circuitbreaker means in an AC path and a second circuit breaker means in a DCcurrent path as well.

[0011] Still another object of this invention is to provide an intrinsicDC load circuit means that embodies looping of the wiring through onecircuit breaker means connecting to one side of the DC power source andthrough a second circuit breaker means to the other side of the DC powersource.

[0012] A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus thatrequires only a simple input connection after the electric distributionbox of living quarters or of a dwelling (either mobile or not) such thatit will function in a variety of different ways which permit stand alonefunction with DC energy input from a plurality of DC power source meansi.e., from a generator means, photo-voltaic means, wind turbine means,etc.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide the combinationof filter capacitor means and storage battery means disposed inelectrical parallel, the filter capacitor means functioning as a limitedAC path to ground, sized, in capacitance to assure a low impedance pathto ground at 60 Hz, the storage battery means functioning to conductcurrent in opposite directions, consistent with the requirements for ACconduction to ground. That is, the storage battery means and itsassociated DC power supply provide both a DC isolation path to groundand an AC continuity path to ground whereas the filter capacitor meanssupplies a limited AC path to ground.

[0014] A further object of this invention is to provide a system inconformity with the preceding object wherein the filter capacitor meansis hard wired within the electrical distribution box and the storagebattery means is housed within the module unit of this invention.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide the combination ofan electrical distribution box housing neutral buss means, power bussmeans, ground buss means and filter capacitor means, the latter being oflimited capacitance and little bulk so as to provide a limited AC pathto ground, and a modular power system module unit which houses storagebattery means of substantial capacitance and large bulk compared withsaid filter capacitor means so as to conduct current in oppositedirections to provide for AC conduction to ground.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a practicalapproach to the application of building-side DC power for intrinsic DCdevices or loads. As noted above, by intrinsic DC devices or loads ismeant DC devices which are intended to be operated only on DC. That is,although an intrinsic DC device can operate when supplied with any DCpower, it is not intended that an “intrinsic DC device” be operated byconverted DC because of the inevitable loss of efficiency when ac isgenerated as the intermediate process in the flow of energy.

[0017] It is a further object of this invention to minimize a customer'speak power demands by using a storage battery means for peak clippingand valley filling purposes.

[0018] Another important object of this invention is to provide amodular unit in which the modular unit comprises storage battery meansfor providing a battery equivalent capacitance which is very large incapacitance and bulk in combination with voltage regulator means (not aconverter) for controlling the charge level of the storage batterymeans.

[0019] Another object of this invention is to provide a system in accordwith the preceding object in combination with intrinsic DC load meansfor utilizing the storage capacity of the storage battery means.

[0020] Another object of this invention is to provide a modular systemusing a rechargeable storage battery means as part of a criticalconversion circuit for filtering (minimizing the AC ripple inherent withrectified AC) and voltage regulation (in the absence of conversion,i.e., not a converter) to protect the storage battery means from damageby overcharging or undercharging (minimizing the DC voltage variationdue to load and line supply variations) and in which the storage batterymeans supplies power to an intrinsic DC load means.

[0021] Still another object of the invention is to provide thecombination of an electrical distribution box housing neutral bussmeans, power buss means, ground buss means and filter capacitor means,the latter being of limited capacitance and little bulk so as to providea limited AC path to ground and be DC blocking, and a modular powersystem module unit which houses storage battery means of substantialcapacitance and large bulk compared with said filter capacitor means,and intrinsic DC load means for drawing upon the storage capacity ofsaid storage battery means.

[0022] A further object of this invention involves the batteryequivalent capacitance of said storage battery means being very large,consistent with an ideal AC path to ground and the capacitance of saidfilter capacitor means being very small, consistent with a limited ACpath to ground but large enough to pass sufficient current to keep theworse case fault currents well below any shock hazards and to allowsufficient current flow to trip relevant circuit breakers in the eventof a short circuit.

[0023] It is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement inaccord with the preceding object in combination with converter means inwhich high frequency AC is generated as an intermediate process in theflow of energy and in which special capacitor means is provided forabsorbing voltage spikes of said high frequency AC.

[0024] It is a feature of the invention is to provide the combination ofan electrical distribution box housing a neutral buss, a power buss, aground buss and a DC isolation capacitor, the DC isolation capacitorbeing of sufficient capacitance and little bulk, so as to provide an ACpath through the neutral conducting circuit and be DC blocking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates the dual voltage concept of the invention, theganged circuit breaker means concept and the modular concept thereof;

[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates the invention with regard to incorporation ofthe linear voltage regulator and control interface of my Pat. No.5,500,561 as one means for controlling the charge level of the storagebattery means;

[0027]FIG. 3 illustrates the use of a current responsive circuitinterrupter, such as a circuit breaker means, and the looping of a DClighting circuit as well as auxiliary DC equipment and an inverterassociated with a simplified illustration of the electric distributionbox;

[0028]FIG. 4 illustrates a converter fed by the DC supply from arectifier and providing an output to storage battery means illustratedas having a filter capacitor in electrical parallel therewith; and,

[0029]FIG. 5 illustrates the dual voltage concept of the invention, theganged circuit breaker means concept, the means for avoiding undesirableDC current paths and the modular concept thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030]FIG. 1

[0031] Reference is had at this time to FIG. 1 which shows a partialcircuit diagram of this invention, illustrating a conventionalthree-wire or split-phase system comprised of the electric utility powerline wires L1 and L2 and the neutral wire N as may be supplied from anelectric utility EU and extending into the electrical distribution boxEDB of an abode, dwelling or the like (which may be mobile or not),which box is shown in rather simplified form. Suffice it to say that thebox EDB is provided with conventional knock-out openings through whichthe cables or wires from the utility or to and from other entities arepassed, the wires L1 and L2 being connected to the power company orelectric utility circuit breakers 10 and 12 whereby the internal powerbusses P1 and P2 and the dwelling circuits AL in the AC distribution boxDBA and the dwelling circuit intrinsic load means LM in the DCdistribution box DBD to which they are connected are protected fromexcessive voltages or surges emanating from the utility EU. The neutralwire N is connected internally to the neutral buss NB which is isolatedfrom direct connection to the internal ground buss GB of thedistribution box EDB.

[0032] A conventional electrical connection element, such as outlet EO1,which may be, for example, a receptacle or a cable, is shown whoseelectrical plug openings 20, 22 and 24 are shown to be connected bywires W20, W22 and W24 passing through suitable knock-out openings inthe box EDB and into connection with a current responsive circuitinterrupter, such as the circuit breaker 14, as well as with the neutralbuss NB and the ground buss GB, respectively. It will be appreciatedthat the circuit breakers 10 and 12 referenced above are of conventionaltype in that they snap into place when the conventional hinged frontpanel of the box EDB is swung aside to expose any circuit breakershoused within the box. This is much preferred to the olderscrew-threaded fuse receptacles. At any rate, the modular feature ofthis invention involves the use of the storage battery means SB havingits positive terminal connected by the wiring B26 having a junction J1with the ground buss wiring GB30 which passes into the box EDB intoconnection with the ground buss GB as illustrated. The negative terminalof the storage battery means SB is connected by the wiring B28 whosejunction J2 with the neutral buss wiring NB32 connects internally of thebox EDB to the neutral buss NB as shown.

[0033] Since the wire connections W20, W22 and W24 are as shown, theprongs 20′, 22′ and 24′ of the electric plug P1 may be used to feed theAC loads AL powered by the box DBA. Similarly, The electric plug P2 maybe used to feed the intrinsic DC load means LM powered by the box DBD.

[0034]FIG. 1 illustrates a basic modular unit M which is external to thebox EDB and therefore attains some surprising advantages which will nowbe explained. The basic modular unit M comprises the rechargeablestorage battery means SB which represents the battery storage capacityto be drawn upon when DC power is not otherwise available to theconsuming load. The storage battery means SB is chargeable in deep cyclefashion to a charge value at which an incipient electrolyte boilingpoint is reached and the battery charging means employed must be capableof effecting such charge value as will ensure this level of chargewithout either overcharging or undercharging.

[0035] An important aspect of this invention resides in the compound useof the “battery equivalent capacitance”, inherent with the storagebattery means SB, in conjunction with the filter capacitor FC. Themagnitude of the “battery equivalent capacitance” gain per unit volumeexhibited by the storage battery means SB is outstanding. To illustratethis point, a standard filter capacitor PC might have a capacitancemeasured in microfarads and be of a bulk or volume to fit easily withinthe box DB. The storage battery means will have a battery equivalentcapacitance of at least 10,000 Farads. The high battery equivalentcapacitance of the storage battery means is highly effective for ACripple filtering but the bulk is too high for incorporation within thebox EDB and, more importantly, it provides an ideal AC path to ground.If the storage battery means SB were to be removed, even temporarily,the limited AC path to ground supplied by the filter capacitor FC wouldbe inadequate. By substituting a 12 volt deep cycle lead-acid batterymeans SB of say, 1 cubic foot volume, the relative “battery equivalentcapacitance” would be at least 10,000 Farads. Stated otherwise, suchstorage battery means SB would provide a very large and adequate AC pathto ground commensurate with the load current being drawn and the limitedAC path to ground afforded by the filter capacitor FC would still beessential to comply with local electrical codes. The two capacitorsoperate in conjunction with one another and both are essential forcomplying with local codes, the means SB conducting current in oppositedirections consistent with the requirements for AC conduction to groundand its associated DC power supply additionally providing a DC isolationpath from ground, and the means FC providing a second, but limited, ACpath to ground in the event that the means SB becomes disabled. Inregard to the latter, the means FC is sized in capacitance wherein thecapacitive reactance Xc is low enough to pass sufficient current to keepboth the worst case fault currents well below any shock hazards and toallow sufficient current flow to trip the relevant circuit breaker(s) inthe event of an appliance short circuit.

[0036] It will be appreciated that although the filter capacitor FCnormally would be hard wired within the box EDB, it could beincorporated within the module M in parallel with the storage batterymeans.

[0037] As will be seen, AC potential is available at the wirings W20 andW22 because the power buss P2 is supplied with AC power and DC potentialis available at the wirings W22 and W24 because of the presence of thestorage battery means SB. Therefore, the plug openings 20 and 22 may beconnected to the AC load means AL of the distribution box DBA throughthe prongs 20′ and 22′ of the electric plug P1 and the plug openings 22and 24 may be connected to the intrinsic DC load means LM of theelectric distribution box DBD through the prongs 22″ and 24″ of theelectric plug P2.

[0038] As noted before, the illustration of FIG. 1 is somewhatsimplified because only one AC power buss P2 is connected although otherand different connections could be illustrated and only one DC poweravailability is illustrated between the wirings W22 and W24 although theelectrical outlet E01 could be much more complex and offer a great dealmore in the way of AC and DC power capabilities. Such will beillustrated in greater detail hereinafter.

[0039]FIG. 2

[0040] With reference to FIG. 2, note that the circuit shown largelyparallels FIG. 3 of my Pat. No. 5,500,561 wherein the rectificationeffected by the diodes 82 and 84 feed the TEE circuit 94, 90, 92 of thevoltage regulator section (so labeled) operating in conjunction with thecontrol interface (so labeled) to output DC at the junction A. It is tobe noted that the circuit thus far described does not meet thedefinition of a converter as defined in this application because AC isnot generated as an intermediate process in the flow of energy. Thus,the inefficiency inherent with conversion is not present and animportant objective of this invention is realized, namely, that inmaintaining the charge level of the storage battery means SB to servicean intrinsic DC load means such as 46 in FIG. 2 or the electronically(DC) ballasted fluorescent lighting circuit FL in FIG. 3, is maintainedat the desired level. Note the three modes of operation disclosed in myU.S. Pat. No. 5,500,561.

[0041] When AC input is present, the voltage regulator functionillustrated in FIG. 2 is an excellent means for maintaining the chargelevel of the storage battery means SB, contained within the module M andwhich is connected to the junctions J1 and J2 (see FIG. 1). The lightingload 46 is, of course, an intrinsic DC load means such as the loopedLIGHTS circuits looped between the ground buss GB and the circuitbreakers B5 and B6 which are connected to the neutral buss NB as in FIG.3. The DC power source DCPS of FIG. 1 is the photovoltaic panel means PVof FIG. 2 and the inverter means INV is shown in both Figures. It willalso be understood that although the electric distribution box EDB isnot illustrated fully in FIG. 2, this is done for simplicity to avoidovercrowding of the Figure.

[0042]FIG. 3

[0043]FIG. 3 shows the electric distribution box EDB in simplified anduncluttered form and is principally directed to illustrating the conceptof ganged circuit breakers and of looping of an intrinsic DC load meansas well the use of a load source means. The box EDB is outlined and theground buss GB, the neutral buss NB and the power buss P2 are alldesignated. The DC ballasted fluorescent lighting intrinsic DC loadmeans FL comprises an example of a distributor box DBD emanating fromthe box EDB. The looping is between the neutral buss NB (−DC) throughthe circuit breaker means B5 and B6 to the ground buss GB (+DC). Fourelectrical outlet means E01, E02, E03 and E04 are illustrated, allidentical, with the two wirings W20 connected with the power buss P2through the respective circuit breaker means B1 and B3. Similarly, thetwo wirings W22 are connected with the neutral buss NB through therespective circuit breaker means B2 and B4. The two circuit breakers B1and B3 each correspond to the circuit breaker 14 in FIG. 1 whereas thetwo circuit breakers B2 and B4 each correspond to the circuit breaker 13in FIG. 1. The circuit breakers B1 and B2 “belong” to an AC path and aDC path, respectively, and the circuit breakers B3 and B4 similarly“belong”.

[0044] Electric plugs P1 and/or P2 may be plugged in to the electricoutlets with their prongs 20′, 22′, 24′ and/or 20″, 22″, 24″ aspreviously described.

[0045] The DC power sources DCPS are illustrated as the DC generator andthe photo-voltaic panel means PV which, after regulation at theregulator 40, passes through the isolating diode D2 to the junction A towhich the positive side of the DC generator DCPS is connected throughthe isolating diode D1. The junction A is connected to the ground bussGB through the circuit breaker B8 whereas the AC input from the inverter50 is connected to the neutral buss NB by means of the wiring W50 and tothe circuit breaker B7 through the wiring W52. The looping of theintrinsic DC load means effectively doubles the current carryingcapacities of the associated wirings whereas the ganging of the AC andDC paths as to circuit breaker means allows the dual voltage aspect tobe carried out with increased safety.

[0046] To reiterate some of the above, the modular concept of thisinvention is very important in that it involves the provision ofseparate entities which are the storage battery means SB and the filtercapacitor means FC. The storage battery means SB has a very largebattery equivalent capacitance consistent with an excellent AC path toground and the filter capacitor means FC has a very small capacitanceconsistent with a limited AC path to ground and being sized incapacitance wherein the capacitive reactance Xc is low enough to passsufficient current to keep both the worst case fault currents well belowany shock hazards and to allow sufficient current flow to trip therelevant circuit breaker(s) in the event of an appliance short circuit.

[0047]FIG. 4

[0048]FIG. 4 is directed to a circuit, which embodies a switching typeconverter of very high efficiency and is a preferred form of converterbecause this type of DC-to-DC power supply represents high efficiencycontemporaneously possible. FIG. 4 illustrates input mechanisms, some ofwhich are not designated by reference characters but which aredesignated as to function, and also illustrates output mechanisms, noneof which are designated by reference characters but which haredesignated as to function. In all such cases, the meanings should beclear and the additional descriptive material detailing the mechanismsand reference characters are believed to be unnecessary.

[0049] The block enclosed in dashed lines and designated by thereference character 501 is a typical full wave rectifier bridge circuit(i.e. the opposite of an inverter) feeding the capacitor 505 at thejunction 501′ and whose purpose is to reduce the rectified ripplecomponent of the circuit 501 and provide filtered DC input voltage,present between the junction 501′ and the conductor 501 v, to theconverter means.

[0050] The converter circuit shown, downstream of and as fed by filteredDC from the rectifier circuit 501, has junctions 521′ and 521′ withinthe section 521 between which the resistor/capacitor pair 521 r and 521c are connected and which pair provide the further junction 521′″. Thejunction 521′″ is connected to the conductor 521 v which supplies thepulse width modulator 503 with positive voltage Vcc, and this junctionfeeds is the diode 521 d 1 having junctions with the parallelresistor/capacitor pair which are connected between the diode 521 d 2and the junction 521″.

[0051] The converter employs a pulse width modulator PWM, indicated at503, controlling the switching transistor circuit 508 to impresstransient voltage spikes present on the conductor 508 v through theprimary of the transformer 506 to cycle current to the primary windingsL1 and L2 of the transformer 506 whereby “ac is generated as anintermediate process in the flow of energy” as is defined in the abovedefinition of “converter”. The secondary side of the transformer 506 isrepresented by the windings L3 and L4.

[0052] The circuit 509 is an optical isolation link between the pulsewidth modulator 503 and the control means 522 on the secondary side ofthe transformer 506 which allows control voltage on the conductor 509 vemanating from the pulse width modulator 503 on the primary side of thetransformer 506 to provide an input to the control means 522 on thesecondary side to influence the pulse width modulator PWM 503 withoutcurrent leakage back from the secondary circuit. Typically, thefrequency of conversion effected by the transformer 506 will be20,000-100,000 Hz which dictates the need for the special capacitor 517to absorb these transients, the capacitance of the capacitor 517 beingtypically about 1 microfarad when used.

[0053] A secondary winding L4 drives the circuit 514 which, similarly tothe rectifier 501 plus the filtering of the capacitor 505, provides a DCoutput, in this case the proper DC input to the control means 522 at theconductor 514 v. The control means 522 has an output conductor 522 oconnected to the optical link 510 for controlling the three modes ofoperation of voltage control in accord with the principles of my priorapplications. That is to say, when the optical isolator 510 link is“on”, modes which permit DC current to flow from the photovoltaic means520 are operative, i.e., either or both DC power input from the means520 alone and partial or shared DC power input from the means 520. Whenthe optical isolator 510 link is “off”, the remaining mode, DC powerinput solely from another source, (i.e., no photovoltaic input) iseffected.

[0054] The modes are controlled by the DC voltage prevailing across thejunctions J1 and J2 (or the presence of a rechargeable DC mechanism suchas a storage battery means connected to these junctions) in which case,mode 1. DC power input to the rechargeable DC mechanism alone, mode 2.shared DC power input, and mode 3 no DC power input to the rechargeableDC mechanism are the order of the day. That is to say, when theconductors 523 and 524 are connected to one of the DC sourcesillustrated in FIG. 4 or to a DC power source such as DCPS in FIG. 1 orin FIG. 3, the system will be fully operative for the purposes intended.

[0055] Stated another way, the DC voltage applied to the storage meanswill depend upon the feed back influenced by the resistors 36, 42, 43,44, 45, 68, 70, 74 and 76 in FIG. 2 or by the resistors, including 511,512, 513 and 515 in FIG. 4.

[0056] This is true even if the system according to this invention isoperated on the barest of input. For example, in locations where eitherAC or DC power is available only part of the time ,or is available onsite only from mechanism thereat, some configuration disclosed in thedrawing Figures herein will be effective to provide DC power supply tothe storage battery means.

[0057]FIG. 5

[0058]FIG. 5 is substantially the same as FIG. 1, illustrating aconventional three-wire or split-phase system comprised of the electricutility power line wires L1 and L2 and the neutral wire N as may besupplied from an electric utility or an alternative AC power source,such as a generator set. FIG. 5 differs from FIG. 1 by the inclusion ofDC isolation capacitor IC connected to one of the busses, such as, forexample, being connected in series with the neutral circuit, as a meansfor avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to amultitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing groundsestablished throughout in AC power supply network. DC isolationcapacitor IC is of sufficient capacitance to allow the low loss passageof unbalanced AC if the loads connected to the distribution systemproduce unequal currents in L1 and L2.

[0059] It is further noted that other modifications may be made to thepresent invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, asnoted in the appended claims. For example, such modifications mayoptionally include DC blocking in other circuits that may haveundesirable DC current paths to ground. Optionally, the DC isolationcapacitor maybe connected with at least one common current path sharingAC and DC, such as wiring or a buss.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular power management system having common wiring for allowing both AC and DC power therethrough, said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network, said system comprising: an electrical distribution panel, capable of receiving both AC and DC power simultaneously; a system of busses housed within the panel and including an electrical power buss, a neutral buss and a ground buss; a module unit including a source of DC power connected across said neutral buss and said ground buss within said panel; a connection for delivering AC power to said power, neutral and ground busses within said panel; an electric outlet having at least one connection element, connected to said AC power buss, a second connection element connected to said neutral buss, and a third connection element connected to said ground buss; a connector for selectively withdrawing AC or DC power for an external load constructed to engage with said electrical outlet so as to connect said load to selected connection elements within said electric outlet; a current responsive circuit interrupter protecting said external load, including at least one circuit interrupter ganged for simultaneous tripping of both AC and DC power to said connection elements connected to said neutral and AC power busses; and a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.
 2. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one common current path is one of said busses.
 3. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said common current path is said neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.
 4. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said common wiring.
 5. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said connection element is a receptacle.
 6. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said connection element is a cable.
 7. The modular power management system as in claim 1 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a circuit breaker.
 8. In a modular power management system as defined in claim 1 wherein said DC power source includes a storage battery.
 9. In a modular power management system as defined in claim 1, wherein said DC power source further comprises a voltage regulator for maintaining said DC power source within a desired voltage range.
 10. In a modular power management system as defined in claim 1, wherein said DC power source is an AC to DC converter.
 11. A method of electrical distribution at a site having both AC and DC power capability and a storage battery, said method capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network, which comprises the steps of: providing a common wiring system within said site having electrical lines sharing AC power and DC power passing therethrough; supplying said storage battery with DC power for maintaining the voltage level of said storage battery not greater than fully charged as defined by the float potential of said storage battery; providing a current responsive circuit interrupter in said site ganged for simultaneous tripping of both AC power and DC power; delivering AC power and/or DC power simultaneously through said common wiring at said site; selectively withdrawing AC and/or DC power for at least one external load at said site; and a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.
 12. The modular power management system as in claim 11 wherein said at least one common current path is a buss.
 13. The modular power management system as in claim 12 wherein said buss is a neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.
 14. The modular power management system as in claim 11 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said common wiring.
 15. The modular power management system as in claim 11 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a circuit breaker.
 16. The method of electrical distribution at a site as defined in claim 11, further including the step of providing a filter capacitor in electrical parallel with said storage battery, utilizing a storage battery having an equivalent capacitance which is very large, consistent with an ideal AC path to ground and the capacitance of a filter capacitor is very small consistent with a limited AC path to ground but large enough to pass sufficient current to keep fault currents as determined by the ratings of said current responsive circuit interrupter from constituting a shock hazard and to allow sufficient current flow to trip relevant current responsive circuit interrupters during a short circuit, and passing current therethrough.
 17. In a power management system, said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network, said system comprising the combination of a storage battery and a filter capacitor, said system providing both an AC conduction path to ground and a DC isolation from ground, said combination carrying AC power while isolating DC current, and a controller for controlling a charge level of said storage battery, said filter capacitor providing a capacitance value to carry AC current at 60 Hz and to insure a low impedance path to ground at 60 Hz and said storage battery having a capacitance value such as to insure conduction to ground in either direction of current flow therethrough, and a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.
 18. The modular power management system as in claim 17 wherein said at least one common current path is a buss.
 19. The modular power management system as in claim 18 wherein said buss is a neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.
 20. The modular power management system as in claim 17 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said system.
 21. In a power management system as defined in claim 17, wherein said controller controlling said charge level of said storage battery is a voltage regulator with a rectifier providing DC input to said voltage regulator.
 22. In a power management system as defined in claim 17, wherein said controller for controlling said charge level of said storage battery is a converter with a rectifier providing DC input to said converter.
 23. A power management system comprising the combination of an electrical distribution box and a modular unit, said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network, said electrical distribution box containing a common wiring system carrying therethrough, separately or simultaneously, both AC power and DC power therethrough, said box also housing a power buss, a neutral buss, a ground buss and an AC bypass filter capacitor of relatively small capacitance and bulk connected between said neutral buss and said ground buss; said modular unit housing a storage battery providing a battery equivalent capacitance and bulk which is substantially greater than the capacitance and bulk of said AC bypass filter capacitor, said storage battery being housed within said modular unit and connected across said neutral buss and said ground buss and a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.
 24. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said at least one common current path sharing AC and DC is one of said busses.
 25. The combination as in claim 24 wherein said buss is said neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.
 26. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said common wiring.
 27. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said storage battery is housed within said modular unit.
 28. The combination as in claim 23 wherein said storage battery is housed outside of said modular unit.
 29. The combination as defined in claim 23, including a DC power supply for supplying said storage battery with DC energy, and a DC load connected between said ground buss and said neutral buss for supply by said storage battery and said power supply.
 30. The combination as defined in claim 29, including a current responsive circuit interrupter.
 31. The combination as in claim 30 wherein said current responsive interrupter is a ganged circuit breaker ganged for simultaneous tripping of both high and low sides of AC voltage and DC power.
 32. The combination as defined in claim 30, wherein said DC power supply includes a device selected from the group consisting of fuel sourced, engine driven electrical power generators, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, wind powered DC sources and hydro-electric DC sources as well as other sources capable of meeting the requirements of a DC power supply.
 33. The combination as defined in claim 23 including a voltage regulator for maintaining a charge level on said storage battery and a rectifier for providing DC input to said regulator.
 34. The combination as defined in claim 33 including a current responsive circuit interrupter.
 35. The combination as defined in claim 34 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a ganged circuit breaker ganged for simultaneous tripping at both AC power and DC power.
 36. The combination as defined in claim 34 wherein said DC power supply includes a device selected from the group consisting of fuel sourced engine driven electrical power generators, photo-voltaic cells, fuel cells, wind powered DC sources, hydro-electric DC sources and energy converters that produce DC power.
 37. The combination as defined in claim 23 including a converter for maintaining a charge level on said storage battery and a rectifier for providing DC input to said converter.
 38. The combination as defined in claim 37 including a current responsive circuit interrupter.
 39. The combination as defined in claim 38 wherein said current responsive circuit interrupter is a ganged circuit breaker ganged for simultaneous tripping.
 40. The combination as defined in claim 38 wherein said DC power supply includes a device selected from the group consisting of fuel sourced, engine driven electrical power generators, photo-voltaic cells, fuel cells, wind powered DC sources, hydro-electric DC sources and energy converters that produce DC power.
 41. In a power management system, the combination of a DC power supply and a filter capacitor providing both an AC conduction path to ground and DC isolation from ground, said system capable of avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in an AC power supply network, said combination of said DC power supply and said filter capacitor carrying AC power while isolating DC current, a common wiring system providing both AC power and DC power therethrough, said common wiring system carrying said AC and DC power separately or simultaneously and a controller controlling a voltage level of said DC power supply, said filter capacitor having a capacitance such as to insure a low impedance path to ground at 60 Hz and said DC power supply having a capacitance value such as to insure conduction to ground in either direction of current flow therethrough, said filter capacitor being effective to maintain said AC conduction path to ground if a storage battery is not utilized within the system, and a DC isolation capacitor being connected, so as to provide DC blocking, with at least one common current path sharing AC and DC, said isolation capacitor having a sufficient capacitance to allow low loss passage of AC power.
 42. The combination as in claim 41 wherein said at least one common current path sharing AC and DC is a buss.
 43. The combination as in claim 33 wherein buss is a neutral buss and said DC isolation capacitor is connected in series with said neutral buss.
 44. The combination as in claim 41 wherein said isolation capacitor allows low loss passage of unbalanced AC power if loads connected to said distribution system produce unequal currents in said system.
 45. In a power management system as defined in claim 41 wherein said controller for controlling said voltage level comprises a further DC power source.
 46. In a power management system as defined in claim 45 wherein said controller for controlling said voltage level includes a voltage regulator.
 47. In a power management system as defined in claim 45 wherein said controller for controlling said voltage level includes a converter in which high frequency AC is generated as an intermediate process in the flow of energy. 